Fishing Articles

The arduous wait for rainfall continues to drag on. For coastal salmon anglers waiting to drift the Smith, Chetco or Eel, it seems like a lifetime ago when the rivers last had enough flow for salmon to maneuver upriver. Hardly a drop has hit the ground since late October, when enough rain fell in the Smith Basin to put the...
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In California, we all need snow – even the fish in the San Joaquin River. The San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) hosted the 2018 Science Meeting in Sacramento in late August to share research findings and updates about ongoing restoration activities. While much of the meeting’s updates focused on the program’s efforts to restore habitat and rebuild the spring-run salmon population, the...
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For California recreational crab fishermen and fisherwomen, the first Saturday in November is the day we’ve long been waiting for.  For weeks, we have been replacing worn out snare loops, changing out fishing line, buying or making our own crab snares all in an effort to be ready for opening day of the recreational Dungeness crab season (which officially began...
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) thanks California’s veterans for their service to and sacrifice for our country. Throughout the state, many nonprofit organizations and other groups are offering special hunting and fishing opportunities for veterans this fall. Please visit the following links to view some of these specific opportunities for veterans: California Waterfowl Coastside Fishing Club Field of Dreams Make a...
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Being in a drought situation is a double-edged sword.  Most of the south coast rivers are running much lower than normal.  Usually the Chetco is running anywhere between 2,000 and 4,000 cfs this time of year, with anglers whackin’ and stackin’ their kings using sardine-wrapped banana plugs like K-15 Kwikfish and 4.5-inch Mag Lips. Oh, did I just use the jinxiest...
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